Keeping Louis Thin

This funny title is quite true. Louis is inclined to getting a bit tubby, dare I say fat, around his waist. These days it it is not helped by Margaret who seems to think that he is being starved. When I took Margaret out on Sunday to the Mall for Tea and Dough Nuts she spent most of the time worrying that Louis was starving at home. This had started at breakfast when Louis shares Margaret's toast and vegemite. Margaret asked for her bread and peanut butter which she "always" shares with Louis. It took some effort to convince Margaret that he never has peanut butter and if he eats anymore he get very fat.

While out at the Mall drinking her tea she wanted to buy "poor Louis" at home something to eat and drink. She was not convinced that a raw chicken wing and a plate of roast chicken, our left overs from Saturday night, was enough. As I walked her through the Mall she wanted to buy everything that she saw and was not the least interested in looking at trousers with stretch waists which she really needs. I managed to limit her to a bunch of flowers, some grapes and a packet of swiss rolls and avoided the brightly coloured beach ware which fills the stores.

Sunday passed without any real dramas and Monday was much the same except that now Margaret wanted to share our wine with Louis. I realize that he now appears to have taken the place of a real member of the household and not just a lovely loving pet. I had a discussion with Louis and he said that he was a rum and coke guy and unless there was some available he would stick to water. This appeared to satisfy Margaret.

Monday dinner was Cottage Pie as recommended by Margaret's Blue Care carer S2. I modified it a little to make a slow crock pot type dish which I prepare in the morning and leave to cook slowly all day on a bench outside on the patio. In the evening I just cook and mash the potatoes and pop the complete pie in the oven to brown up. Served with thick brown gravy and green peas it was a great success. There is also some left over for Louis today. (Actually he licked the plates and crock pot clean last night as well - so much for a diet!)

It is interesting that when I started this blog I was more worried about Margaret's physical condition but as time goes on her mental capabilities have declined noticeably. Apart from the pain her physical condition gives her and the regular visits to her doctor's she is keeping quite well. Her leg is healing nicely and we will have it looked at by the Practice Nurse at the doctor's this morning. I shall also have bring up her increased confusion with her doctor.

Today, Tuesday, she complained at breakfast that I had forgotten Louis peanut butter sandwich! She is also worried about when to get up and go to the doctor's and I have told her at least six times that she can lie in until 9.00 am. She is also asking when that woman (Blue Care RN) is coming and she has been told it will be a week Thursday every day since last Thursday.